Congress Approves Aid For Victims of Terrorism - 2001-09-14

The U-S Congress has approved 40-billion dollars in emergency aid to help the victims of this week's terrorist attacks, and to hunt down those who assisted in the plot.

Members of the Senate and House acted swiftly Friday to give President Bush the money to respond to the attacks. Congressional leaders agreed to set aside normal procedures and to rush votes on the package.

Final approval came as President Bush and a contingent of lawmakers went to visit the site of one of the attacks -- the World Trade Center in New York City.

The spending package was twice the amount President Bush initially requested. New York's Congressional delegation asked that the figure be doubled from 20-billion to 40-billion dollars.

In a separate vote, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the use of force against those responsible for Tuesday's attacks. Although it is not a formal declaration of war, Congressional leaders say it is modeled after one.

The resolution authorizes President Bush to use all necessary force against nations, organizations or people he determines helped plan, carry out or assist the terrorist attacks.

House approval of the use-of-force resolution is expected on Saturday.